This Grade Two contest was only reduced from being a Grade One in recent years. Unfortunately, the quality of this contest came nowhere near living up to even Grade Two standard. A poor-quality renewal that was not helped by the favourite running no race after being squeezed out at the first hurdle and the second favourite being pulled up before the last hurdle after stopping quickly in the home straight. Even worse, the third horse to finish was said to have made a respiratory noise during the race. I doubt the official handicapper will prove to be far wide of the mark in presenting this winner with a 123 rating after this seven-length success.

TENTER LE TOUT Whatever happened to the market leaders, this filly could only beat what was put in front of her and she did so with some aplomb. I doubt the form will turn out to be very much at all; nonetheless, I don’t think her connections will be too concerned with that for now after picking up this 48k prize.

KLYCOT I doubt he will have to achieve so little again to enable his connections to pick up nearly 18k in prize money. The form of this race is highly unlikely to amount to very much and the handicapper has been very fair in awarding him a mark of 120 for this flattering second place finish in a Grade Two contest.

KALDOUN DES ROCS He was said to have made a respiratory noise during the race so presumably we can expect him to have undergone wind surgery the next time we see him on a racecourse.

MACKTOAD This was disappointing as he won in impressive style last time out and finished a long way clear of today’s second and third horses in the process. His jockey reported that he lost his confidence jumping after being short of room at the very first hurdle. Maybe he will return to his best when everything falls into place for him; nevertheless, I want to remember how easily he downed tools here, particularly should he be trading very short again in the near future. He was ridden to the fore from the off last time out and so it would be no surprise if we see more positive tactics restored next time out.

SONIC PIONEER After travelling and jumping well he began to lose his pitch round the final bend into the home straight. After being super impressive at Kempton last time out, he dropped away very quickly here in the style of a horse experiencing some kind of physical problem.